Strong Lensing Science Collaboration input to the on-sky commissioning of the Vera Rubin Observatory

TL;DR

This paper provides strategic recommendations for the Vera Rubin Observatory's on-sky commissioning, focusing on target selection and observational priorities to optimize strong lensing science validation.

Contribution

It offers a detailed set of target prioritization guidelines for the commissioning phases, developed in collaboration with the Dark Energy Science Collaboration.

Findings

Prioritize fields with full declination coverage during Science Verification.

Use quadruply lensed quasars to test the Active Optics system.

Recommend specific deep and wide fields for science validation.

Abstract

We present the Strong Lensing Science Collaboration's (SLSC) recommended observing targets for the science verification and science validation phases of commissioning. Our recommendations have been developed in collaboration with the Dark Energy Science Collaboration (DESC) Strong Lensing Topical Team. In summary, our key recommendations are as follows: (1) Prioritize fields that span the full range of declination observable from Cerro Pachon during the engineering focused Science Verification phase of commissioning, before concentrating on equatorial fields for the Science Validation surveys. (2) Observe quadruply lensed quasars as the ultimate test of the Active Optics system towards the end of the Science Verification phase of commissioning. These systems are the strongest tests known for delivered image quality. (3) Prioritize science validation survey fields (both single deep pointings and wide fields) that have been searched thoroughly by precursor surveys for strong lenses. (4) The optimal wide (~100 degree^2) science validation field would include the CFHT-LS W4 field, and overlap with the SDSS Stripe 82, DES-SN, KIDS and HSC-SSP fields. (5) The optimal single pointing science validation fields are the XMM-LSS and COSMOS Deep Drilling Fields, the equatorial Hubble Frontier Fields galaxy clusters, and strongly lensed quasars with measured time delays that are well-matched to commissioning timescales.